viverrine

or viverrid

of or relating to the Viverridae, a family of small carnivorous mammals including the civets, genets, palm cats, etc.

noun

2.

a viverrine animal.

Origin of viverrine

1790-1800

1790-1800; < New Latinviverrīnus, equivalent to Viverr(a) a genus name (Latinvīverra the ferret or a similar animal; akin to Lithuanianvoverė̃,Old Russianvěveritsa,Old Englishācwern,Old High Germaneihhurno squirrel) + -īnus-ine1

(vī-věr'ĭd) Any of various mostly small carnivorous mammals of the family Viverridae, having long, slender bodies with short legs and bushy tails. Viverrids include the civets, mongooses, meerkats, and binturong.

viverrine

(vī-věr'ĭn, -īn') Characteristic of or resembling civets or their kin.